Your bathroom needs to be functional for your lifestyle, and this can often include different electric items like outlets, lighting, fans, heaters, the list goes on. Where exactly can these additional electrical items be installed? Bathroom Electrical Zones determine where electrical can be installed in a bathroom and what type of electrical can be safely installed in that zone. When planning on installing any electrical appliance in a bathroom, it’s essential to identify the bathroom zones first, as safety is always the number one priority in any renovation or build.
Month: February 2021
7 Surprising Bathroom Updates that Make All the Difference
Understanding Air Leakage for Windows
Window replacement projects are a great way to spruce up your home and improve energy efficiency, but comparing windows can be difficult if you aren’t sure what to look for. Quality windows will advertise their Air Leakage Rating, but what is it, and how should you know if a window has a good AL rating? Understanding Air Leakage for windows can help you make the best decision for your window upgrades!
What Are the Basic Window Ratings You Should Know?
When you are looking for windows for your home, how can you be sure that you are choosing the best option? By understanding these basic window rating measurements, you can make sure you are picking the best fit for your needs.
Window Rating Labels
The National Fenestration Rating Council, or NFRC, is a third-party non-profit organization that provides consumers with window, door, and skylight ratings. Windows that are certified by the NFRC have been independently tested and certified.
The four main ratings that are included on every NFRC-certified window label are U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, Visible Transmittance, and Air Leakage. Some window manufacturers may also include the optional Condensation Resistance rating on their labels.
ENERGY STAR qualifying windows have NFRC ratings that have met strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR considers regional location when certifying windows because differences in climate affect what ratings are necessary to be energy efficient.
U-Factor
U-Factor is a measure of how well a window can keep heat from escaping.
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The range for U-Factor is between 0.20 and 1.20.
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The lower the U-Factor value, the less heat a window allows to escape.
Look for windows with a lower U-Factor to have a greater resistance to heat flow and better insulating value.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) value measures how well a window resists unwanted heat gain from the sun.
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The range for SHGC is between 0 and 1.
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The lower the SHGC value, the better a window’s resistance is to heat gain from the sun.
Look for windows with lower SHGC values to reduce your cooling bill in the hot summer months.
Visible Transmittance (VT)
Visible Transmittance (VT) is the measurement of how well daylight is able to get through a window. This rating is especially important to consider if you want high levels of natural light to come into a room. If you are looking to save money on artificial lighting, pay attention to this rating.
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The range for VT is between 0 and 1.
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The higher the VT value, the more natural light a window lets in.
Look for windows with high VT values if you want to maximize the amount of natural light that comes into your home.
Air Leakage
Air Leakage measures how much air will enter a room through a window. This measurement represents the number of cubic feet of air passing through a square foot of window area per minute (cfm/sq. ft.).
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The lower the Air Leakage value, the less air is able to enter a room through a window.
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This value is assuming proper installation. Faulty installation could lead to damaged seals that could allow in more air. This is why you should always hire a trusted contractor to expertly install your new windows!
Condensation Resistance
Condensation Resistance measurements are optional for manufacturers to include on NFRC labels. Condensation Resistance measures how susceptible to condensation buildup a window is. Condensation could lead to mold, discoloration, and warped wood. If it occurs between the layers of glass, condensation cannot be cleaned off and could block your view.
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The range for Condensation Resistance is between 1 to 100.
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The higher the value, the more resistant to condensation a window is.
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Most ENERGY STAR qualifying windows have high Condensation Resistance ratings.
Now you know how to understand the basic window ratings that are included on NFRC window labels! Are you thinking about replacing the windows in your home? We can help guide you through the window replacement process! Start by requesting a free quote online today.
What Are the Best Houseplants for Your Bathroom?
Do you feel like the decor in your bathroom is missing something? Houseplants are a great way to add a personal touch to your space and to brighten your day. The humidity of a bathroom makes it a great location for plants that appreciate extra moisture. Depending on the level of light your bathroom receives, there is an ideal plant for you.
If you are interested in finding the perfect plant for your bathroom space, read on to learn more!
Boston Ferns
Boston ferns are a great choice for first-time houseplant owners because they are easy to care for. These plants love high humidity, making them well suited for the bathroom. If your bathroom has a window that allows bright, indirect sunlight to your fern, you will find that it grows quickly.
Display your fern on a small table, countertop, or consider hanging it from the ceiling.
Water it once or twice a week, and regularly check to make sure the soil does not dry out completely.
Air Plants
Air plants are a low-maintenance choice for a bathroom houseplant. These unique plants do not need soil to grow, so they can be displayed in exciting ways! With a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to choose from, air plants will do well in any bathroom.
Since air plants do not need soil to grow, the watering process is a bit different than other houseplants. Air plants pull moisture out of the air, but if your bathroom is less humid you will need to water them. You can either soak them in a container of water for fifteen minutes or mist them. Make sure to dry the air plants upside down to prevent the leaves from rotting.
Snake Plants
Snake plants are one of the best houseplants for air purification. They are unique because they are able to release oxygen at night. They even filter the air of formaldehyde, benzene, and other harmful pollutants.
These plants are a great choice for bathrooms that receive less light. Depending on the humidity in your bathroom, a snake plant should be watered once every 2 to 8 weeks. The hardy snake plant is a great choice for the laid-back houseplant owner!
Bromeliads
Native to tropical regions, bromeliads are a great way to add color to a bathroom space. Their long-lasting blooms come in a variety of shades of pink, red, orange, and yellow. The humidity of your bathroom will help these plants thrive.
Bathrooms that receive a moderate amount of sunlight are best for bromeliads. Too much sun and a bromeliad can get bleached out, and not enough sun can turn the plants’ leaves brown.
The tank, or vase-shaped space at the center of the plant where the leaves overlap, will collect water. Keep water in this tank at all times, but do not allow it to stagnate. Changing the water out once a week will help prevent rotting.
Displaying houseplants is a great way to customize your space to reflect your personal style! Decorating your bathroom with houseplants does not have to be a chore with these low-maintenance options.
Are you in love with the look of your bathrooms? If the answer is no, we can help bring your bathrooms up to date with our remodeling services. Request a free online quote today to see how we can help transform your bathroom into the space of your dreams!